TV WATCHERS: The Hoff is first out in 'Dancing With The Stars'

September 22, 2010

Although he was billed as "the most watched man on TV" when he was announced as a contestant on the 11th season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," David Hasselhoff will be no longer be watched in this season's dancing competition. He and pro-dancing partner Kym Johnson were the first to be voted off the show Tuesday.

Hasselhoff failed to impress judges with his first performance on the show's season premiere Monday. Judge Bruno Tonioli called the Hoff's dancing "a potpourri of insanity." I think the former "Night Rider" and "Baywatch" star even suspected he was heading home.

In a short interview taped after Monday night's performance, Hasselhoff said he realizes, as a former judge on "America's Got Talent," that not everyone can make it through to the next week. While Johnson tried to remain positive, he said he did his best and wished his body could keep up with what he wants to do. "If we go out, we go out in a blaze of glory," he told Kym.

The Hoff didn't seem too upset about being the first to go but, instead, was more concerned about his partner, Kym, who "worked so hard to make him look good."

Show co-host Tom Bergeron said losing Hasselhoff this earlier in the season was a surprise to him and the producers.

It surprised me a little, too. I would have guessed comedian Margaret Cho or "Jersey Shore's" Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino. Cho and her partner Louis Van Amstel tried unsuccessfully to work comedy into their choreography. It didn't work, especially on the first week of competition, when viewers are hoping to figure out who can and who cannot dance. You first have to establish yourself as a good dancer before you can add fake falls or costume malfunctions to a routine. Even the judges weren't sure if the "errors" were mistakes or intentional.

"The situation for The Situation," as everyone kept saying throughout the show, was that he bombed because he had only five practices with partner Karina Smirnoff before performing on the show. He followed Karina around the floor like a puppy watching for clues to what he was supposed to do next and dissed judge Len Goodman. Might be appropriate for the "Jersey Shore" crowd, but if it continues, I seriously doubt "Dancing" fans will keep him around.

Although either The Situation or Cho should have been the first to go, it's highly unlikely Hasselhoff would have lasted beyond three weeks on the show anyway.

The good news is there are plenty of contestants full of potential left to entertain us in upcoming weeks. Jennifer "Baby" Grey, star of "Dirty Dancing," showed some things get better with age. Singer Brandy proved she's very comfortable on stage. Bristol Palin, the non-entertainer in the bunch, amazed everyone when she showed she could move her hips. And even Florence Henderson, at 76, moved a whole lot better than previous senior citizens casted on the show.

It's a little earlier to say who will take home the Season 11 mirrior ball trophy. For now, my money is on Jennifer Grey. But it's a pleasant surprise to see she's in for some stiff competition, because that makes for better dancing and a more entertaining season.

Are you ready to predict a winner? If so, who do you think it will be? And, do you think Hasselhoff should have been the first to go home